Pike Expo and Job Fair is back

Local businesses and organizations will introduce themselves to the public and to each other at the Pike County Community Expo and Job Fair Saturday at Delaware Valley High School.

Jessica Cohen

Local businesses and organizations will introduce themselves to the public and to each other at the Pike County Community Expo and Job Fair Saturday at Delaware Valley High School.

The participation of 40-50 vendors could be a good sign for the economy, since last year the Expo never happened because of lack of interest, according to Philly Viscardo, secretary of the Pike County Chamber of Commerce, which hosts the event.

The Expo's value for businesses and nonprofit organizations is in providing exposure, Viscardo said.

"Some people won't go into a business office because they fear sales pressure," she said. "But at the Expo many people stop by."

For people who do stop, giveaways are plentiful. They have included pens, key chains, magnets, calendars, flashlights and water bottles.

"Everyone has candy on their tables. Old and young alike stop for candy," Viscardo said. "People love those giveaways. Businesses want to make them inexpensive, but as branded as possible, with their name as bold as possible on the item. People may not need your goods or service now, but they may later. And when they're ready to buy, they may call you first."

The Expo is an opportunity for businesses to introduce themselves in a neutral zone, including home-based businesses people might not know about.

Nonprofits also make use of the Expo to seek financial support and volunteers and provide information about the services they offer the community.

Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts raise funds by selling cookies in the cafeteria.

An hour before the Expo opens to the public, businesses market themselves to each other. "In 2012, when there were 70 vendors, we took a survey later, and the majority of responses were positive. Participants got business leads," Viscardo said.